| It is interesting that in the early church there were the same kind of problems which many of our churches face today. Human nature hasn't changed and Satan's methods are still largely the same. Wherever there is blessing, Satan will always counterattack. In the previous chapter, Satan tried to use Ananias and Sapphira to cheat God. The Holy Spirit, however, allowed Peter to know the true story and the church was taught a severe lesson in their deaths. In this chapter Satan tried to stir up internal dissension but again God over-ruled. The next chapter tells how further persecution began. But the thrilling words of Acts 8:4 tell us that the result was a scattering of the believers which actually meant they went everywhere preaching the Word. According to our reading today, tension arose over a rather trifling matter. It often does. Was the inequality of distribution real or only imagined? The Greek-speaking widows felt that the Jewish-speakers were getting more than they were. Isn't it true that often Christians today become upset because they think they have been overlooked - either real or fancied? But isn't that where Christian grace comes in? The apostles immediately realized that this matter needed to be dealt with. It could bring disharmony and if they themselves took charge of it, the more important matters of prayer and preaching would suffer. The Lord must have given special wisdom as He often does when we are facing an awkward or even explosive situation. An election was held for seven men to take charge of this ministry. It is interesting to note that all of the men chosen had Greek-sounding names. That certainly seems to show how the church bent over backwards to resolve the situation so no one would have cause to complain about this distribution again. They were all godly men filled with the Spirit and they obviously handled the matter well If God gives us a job to do in the church, how do we respond? It would be well to stop and search our own hearts as we answer that question | 
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